In July 1953, with a full tide in the harbour, boys were in the water swimming. Nine year old J. Patience got into difficulty. Donald Ross, on seeing the boy struggling, dived in fully clothed to rescue him. After reaching him Patience began to struggle and both boys were now in danger. Thomas Vass, again fully clothed, dived into the harbour to rescue them, Thomas told Ross to let Patience go and swim to the shore and he would take Patience to safety. Thomas brought the boy ashore and applied artificial respiration until he recovered.